Few questions

[kmurphy1981]

Hi, a few years back I bought a http://www.telescope.com/Telescopes/Reflector-Telescopes/Orion-SpaceProbe-3-Equatorial-Reflector-Telescope/pc/-1/c/1/sc/11/p/9843.uts

I know its not much of a scope, but I didn't want to drop a ton of cash on a new hobby that I wasnt sure I would get in to.

Long story short, I really liked using it, but aside from the moon and occasionally saturn, there wasn't much i could see with it from my light polluted skies and it has mostly just collected dust.

In a few weeks we'll be moving to our new house outside the city with much better skies and I can't wait to see what I can see

I'd like to upgrade to a setup I can eventually use for imaging and have my eye on a http://www.canadiantelescopes.com/Shop-By-Brand/Refractors_6/Orion-ED80-80mm-f-7-5-Apochromatic-Refractor-Telescope_2.html#.Ulrsj1CsiSo but first I wanted to make sure this is the right ed80 i see people recommend for getting started with imaging.

My next question is would I be able to mount that scope on the crappy tripod/mount that came with my first telescope and use it for some observing? The wife isn't going to be on board with buying the new scope and a heq5 pro at the same time so I need to pace myself.

Cheers!

[ScottS]

If it was me, I would stick with the scope you have for now and see what you can see from your new location. Dark skies make such a difference. If you find you are still keen on astronomy then maybe think about an upgrade.

[ronin]

Looks like the same set of optics, an 80mm ED doublet at f/7.5.

Being a doublet them using the term "apo" is not really correct, and I believe that you can still see some CA present when on brighter objects.

Not sure about the mount you have being suitable, the "old" scope has a weight of 4lbs, the "new" one is 5.7lbs and you need to add a diagonal, so say 6 lbs. That is 50% increase.

However not sure what other scopes that mount is supplied with, your present one may be lighter then it can handle safely, just don't know.

[kmurphy1981]

I'll definitely wait to check out my new location before making any purchases but I like to plan things out so I have time to research and consider my options

It looks like the mount is rated to hold 7 lbs so I think it should be OK to hold the scope and diagonal (which I hadn't thought of so thanks )

[John]

The 2nd scope you link to is the same scope as the Skywatcher ED80 Pro. It's objective lens is ED doublet with one element made from FPL-53 glass. I've owned one of the Orion branded ones and it was, apart from the gun metal grey finish, identical to the Skywatcher ED80. Very nice scopes and, only showing a touch of chromatic aberration on the brightest stars. Apo enough for me, for visual use 

[Timbo32]

If you are serious about getting into imaging then i would suggest that you get the mount first and use the old scope until you can afford the better scope as i think the most important thing about imaging is the mount .good luck getting it pass the o/h! Clear Skies Tim

[swamp thing]

My 2p's worth.

Never under mount any scope. A scope on a wobbly mount is a nightmare to use visually, and for imaging it's utterly useless.

The frustration you'll get by under mounting a scope will drive you round the bend and dampen any enthusiasm you have.

I would get the mount first, no question about it.